December 13th.

The Su Family received a batch of gifts from the Shen Family.

Seeing these gifts, the Su Family's senior members immediately understood the Shen Family's intentions.

The Shen Family was adamant and would never ask the Imperial Family to cancel the betrothal.

This betrothal could only be resolved by the Su Family appealing to the Imperial Family.

At the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, Shen Han from the Shen Family reached the 80th level. If not for some unforeseen circumstances, Shen Han might have climbed even higher.

However, the results at the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, having elements of luck, only showed that Shen Han wasn't as mediocre as rumors had it.

Among the younger generation in Great Wei, he could be considered decent.

Merely based on the performance at Stepping into the Thousand Autumns, the Su Family was not willing to let their pride marry Shen Han.

Moreover, Shen Han did not have the support of the Shen Family behind him.

Even though he showed some potential, the Shen Family still had a prodigy, Shen Ye.

From the Shen Family's attitude, the Su Family also knew that the Shen Family was still planning to hand over their legacy to Shen Ye.

Su Jinyu had originally set her heart on Shen Ye, and this betrothal had to be dissolved no matter what.

Even if Su Jinyu and Shen Ye couldn't end up together in the future, the Su Family wouldn't let her marry Shen Han.

Having thought it all through, the Su Family patriarch entered the palace overnight.

The Great Wei Emperor, in remembrance of the Su Family's meritorious service, granted an audience.

After half a night of discussion, the Su Family patriarch finally left the Imperial Palace.

Rain Listening Pavilion.

Su Jinyu also received a transmission from her family elders.

The matter of annulment had been agreed upon by the Imperial Family.

However, the Su Family naturally had to pay a certain price.

Su Jinyu's father, the Su Family's eldest son, Su Zhensheng, was to be transferred from the Northern Garrison of Great Wei back to the capital.

As per the Imperial Family's orders, he was to teach at Tianyi Academy in the capital for two years.

Su Zhensheng, being well-versed in Military Strategy and adept in Military Array, seemed to be overqualified for the post.

If Su Zhensheng were transferred back from the Northern Garrison, the Su Family's actual power in the military would further decline.

After Marquis Wuyang, the Su Family patriarch stepped down from his post, the Su Family's influence had already waned considerably.

This further transfer, and for as long as two years.

The Su Family's influence in the Northern Garrison, who knows how badly it would be affected.

In the Imperial Court, human sentiments are pragmatic.

People leave, and tea cools.

The Su Family's future with such circumstances is uncertain...

Hearing this, Su Jinyu's face already showed some remorse.

It was all because of her.

All she could do now was to diligently cultivate and enhance her strength, to elevate the Su Family's influence through her own efforts.

Apart from this sacrifice, the Imperial Family had put forward another condition.

The Shen and Su families were both prominent military aristocratic families in Great Wei.

Unilaterally annulment indeed hurt one's face.

The Imperial Family demanded that both families write an annulment letter.

Of course, the annulment letter was to be personally written by the two parties involved, Su Jinyu and Shen Han, and then announced to the world.

The reason for annulment would be that each had their own desires in heart, the two had affinities but were not meant to be together, and would find their happiness elsewhere.

Thus, neither Su Jinyu nor Shen Han would lose face.

Upon hearing this news, Su Jinyu couldn't help but frown slightly.

She was willing to write this annulment letter, but would Shen Han be willing?

If he refused, would this betrothal never be annulled?

Time was running short, and Su Jinyu couldn't afford to dwell on it.

The Su Family patriarch had gone to the Emperor to request the annulment.

The Su Family had paid so much, surely the Shen Family would manage to come up with an annulment letter.

This news was passed on to the Shen Family, and Su Jinyu also arranged for someone to find Shen Han.

...

December 14th.

The people sent by the Shen and Su families to find Shen Han said they didn't even get past the gates of Lianyun Mansion.

The Yun Mansion directly refused visits from anyone related to the Shen and Su families.

When the news came back, the always-cool Su Jinyu seemed a bit anxious.

"Miss... that Shen Han surely doesn't want to annul the engagement...

Any gentleman, having finally established ties with you, would rather die than annul the engagement..."

In Su Jinyu's eyes was a hint of anger: "Does he think that by not writing the annulment letter, I can't annul the engagement with him?

It would just be less dignified, and then the Su Family would have to ask His Holiness to say some nice words."

Leaning against the railing, Su Jinyu's angry and delicate face showed a trace of worry.

She didn't want to cause more trouble for the Su Family, but...

Her mind was a jumble, when a soft female voice suddenly spoke from behind.

"Child, even the peach tree in the courtyard must be tired of your worried little face by now."

Upon hearing the voice, Su Jinyu immediately turned around.

"Master, you finally came to see Jinyu..."

As she spoke, Su Jinyu rushed into Shi Yuezhu's embrace like a child.

Qingcao, the maid beside her, also just realized that Shi Yuezhu had entered the room.

Such a Martial Path expert could almost come and go without a sound...

"Moon Bamboo Peak Master..."

Qingcao bowed to Shi Yuezhu, then hurried off to make tea.

This etiquette should indeed have been prepared before the guest arrived, but with Shi Yuezhu's silent entrance, Qingcao simply couldn't prepare in advance.

Su Jinyu, lying in her master's arms, wrapped her hands around her slender waist, her face resting against Shi Yuezhu's chest.

"Master, where have you been these days... Jinyu has endured so much grievance..."

"I was busy dealing with some troubles in Qianyang Country, and finally cleaned them up yesterday.

I heard you reached the 73rd level of the Thousand-Autumn steps, which is somewhat an improvement.

I thought at that test of endurance, you wouldn't move a single step."

Shi Yuezhu gently patted Su Jinyu's head, smiling as she spoke.

Hearing her master mention her Stepping into the Thousand Autumns result, Su Jinyu's expression became even more unpleasant.

"What, child, you're not satisfied with this achievement?"

"Does Master think I should be satisfied...

Along with those who ascended the Thousand-Autumn steps, there were those who reached 80 levels..."

Su Jinyu complained in a low voice.

"The results of Stepping into the Thousand Autumns don't predict the future; you know the mysteries within the Thousand-Autumn steps.

The Peak Master of Liuyun Peak, during his participation in Stepping into the Thousand Autumns, didn't even reach 50 levels.

Yet now, he has become a Sword Immortal.

Moreover, among all the Sword Immortal Realm experts of Xiaoyao Peak, the actual combat strength of the Liuyun Peak Master is still recognized as the strongest."

Shi Yuezhu's words indeed had a comforting effect.

Listening to this, Su Jinyu's mood genuinely improved quite a bit.

She had just begun to relax, but then remembered that day during the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering...

"But Master, the one who ascended to the 80th level at the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering was that person...

I never thought I would lose to him.

Even if luck was a factor in Stepping into the Thousand Autumns, I shouldn't have lost..."

Hearing this, Shi Yuezhu was somewhat confused about who was being referred to.

"That person is...?"

At that moment, the maid Qingcao brought in a pot of freshly brewed tea.

"Moon Bamboo Peak Master, the person Miss refers to is that Shen Family youth granted marriage by the Imperial Family..."

This left Shi Yuezhu somewhat puzzled.

"Isn't it said that the young man lacks talent in the Martial Path?"

"In response to Moon Bamboo Peak Master, it's said that he has always been hiding his prowess and concealing his true abilities.

Miss was deceived and was slightly careless..."

Hearing this, Shi Yuezhu finally understood.

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